3 years ago
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New data from CareerJunction showed that, on average, 59% of job seekers in South Africa are willing to relocate for a job.
CareerJunction’s insights are based on 5,000 of the biggest firms, agencies, and recruiters in South Africa who post job openings on the portal.
The group found that female job seekers are less likely to move for work, with only 51% saying they would be willing to, whereas 61% of men said they would do so happily.
“The new findings indicate that younger and mid-career candidates are most likely to move, while older, more established candidates are less likely to relocate,” said CareerJunction.
Across all generations, Gen Z candidates aged 27 or younger were the most willing to relocate for work, with 70% saying that they would. CareerJunction said that this could partly be due to the fact that individuals in this age bracket may have fewer commitments and fewer personal responsibilities to factor in when considering relocation.
For Gen Y, people aged between 28 and 42, the situation is slightly different, with slightly fewer people willing to relocate (67%) – this is due to mid-career professionals being inclined to do what is necessary to progress in their career or get promoted at their company.
“On the other hand, only 46% of Gen X candidates aged 43–57 and only 42% of those in the Baby Boomers age bracket (58–77 years) were willing to relocate for work.”
On top of demographics, certain factors, such as the particular job sector that one works in, also influence candidates’ willingness to relocate.
“For example, professionals in Telecommunication and Finance seem to be less likely to relocate for a job while workers in Mining, Transportation and Building and Construction are more likely to pack up and follow the new job in a different location.”
CareerJunction revealed the following sectors that are most likely to move:
| Cleaning, Maintenance and Repair | 60% |
| Medical and Health | 58% |
| Architecture and Engineering | 56% |
| Community and Social Welfare | 56% |
| Science and Technology | 56% |
| Security and Emergency Services | 55% |
| Restaurants and Hospitality | 55% |
| Warehousing and Logistics | 54% |
| Education, Training and Library | 54% |
| Sports and Fitness | 53% |
| Travel and Tourism | 52% |
| Legal | 51% |
| Business and Management | 50% |
| Information Technology | 49% |
| Sales | 49% |
| Design, Media and Arts | 48% |
| Admin, Office and Support | 47% |
| Marketing | 47% |
| Personal Appearance | 47% |
| Finance | 44% |
| Telecommunication | 41% |
CareerJunction also showed how likely a person with specific qualifications is willing to move for work.
The group found that qualification levels affect the jobseekers’ willingness, with those with a higher qualification less likely to jump ship.
“This may be partly attributed to a greater sense of job security and job satisfaction for those with higher qualifications,” said CareerJunction.
Read: The most in-demand job skills in South Africa right now
These are the workers most willing to relocate for a job in South Africa
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